Stockholm loves Brooklyn, but then you already knew that. Be it music, art, culture, or food, Stockholmers are willing to embrace pretty much everything that reflects the attitudes and lifestyles of that particular borough of New York. However, that love is about to be reciprocated in a big way with the eagerly-anticipated opening of a new brewery, bar, and restaurant at the old Luma factory building in Hammarby Sjöstad.

A collaboration between craft brewers Brooklyn Brewery, importers Carlsberg, and resurrected Swedish stalwarts New Carnegie this is an ambitious project that aims to become a big player in the resurgent world of Swedish beer-making, and a focus point for Sweden’s beer enthusiasts.

In the distant past, Sweden actually produced some pretty notable beers, not least the Carnegie Porter which was sold all over the world. But the rapid growth of the temperance movement in Sweden in the early 20th century led to a number of laws that proved disastrous for the brewing industry. Brooklyn Brewery is not unaware of this history and the intention is “to develop a new portfolio of New Carnegie craft beers, beers with a special Swedish accent” says Brooklyn co-founder Steve Hindy.

Five new beers will be available at the time of opening, all of which will initially be exclusive to Sweden. The Swedish team has been trained by Brooklyn at their New York brewery and, as Hindy puts it, “learned all our deepest, darkest secrets.”

Also opening it’s doors at the same time as the brewery will be a restaurant serving dishes inspired by Swedish cuisine and intended to be paired with and complement the beers being produced. In keeping with the Borough of Brooklyn’s philosophy of keeping things local, there are also plans to work with food vendors from around the Stockholm area.

With one of the key goals of the venture being to increase awareness of beer culture, the brewery will not only be offering tours, but also opening a beer school for those wanting to get more hands-on knowledge on just what it takes to get that brew into your hand.

There’s a hell of a lot of knowledge and passion going into this project – certainly enough to give credibility to Carnegie’s promise of creating a “Beer El Dorado” in the middle of Stockholm. Nya Carnegiebryggeriet started brewing in February and the restaurant will be opening it’s doors to the public in mid April.

Words by Denny Way